Search begins for new chief construction adviser

Sources say current building tsar Paul Morrell ‘has ruled out’ serving a third two-year term

The Cabinet Office has given the go-ahead for the government to start a search for a new chief construction adviser after incumbent Paul Morrell is understood to have made it clear to ministers he will not continue in the role.

Morrell, who was appointed chief construction advisor in November 2009 for a two-year term, had his contract extended for one year in 2011. However, Building understands he has now told ministers he does not want to have his appointment renewed for a second time.

Morrell reports to both the Cabinet Office and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Two separate sources said that the Cabinet Office this week gave the go-ahead for BIS to recruit a replacement for Morrell, who was author of the government’s construction strategy.

BIS is now thought to be drawing up a job specification for the role to be issued in the next few days so recruitment can commence.

Sources said there remained concerns that the Cabinet Office is keen to see a senior civil servant appointed to the job, rather than an industry figure, like former Davis Langdon boss Morrell.